Fort Myers Beach group "5 Decide" forms for “factual” TPI support

March 7, 2018

A group of residents in support of the TPI-FMB development have come together to form "5 Decide."

The group plans to make its support of the project loud - but fact-based.

Leah Gregg, one of the members, said there is a lot of confusion surrounding the project, and she hopes to break down what the development is bringing to the table in a simple, one page hand-out.

Gregg, and her neighbor and fellow member Dawn Ferguson, both live on Palermo Circle.

"I live on Palermo, and I got tired of the rifraff. I almost sold my house," Gregg said. "This (project) is very much impacting us and the plan in place will be as good as it's going to get."

Now that the proposal was passed by the Local Planning Agency, Gregg realized it's really down to the votes of the five people on council if the proposal succeeds or fails - which is the meaning behind the group's name.

"We're trying to tell council, you five are deciding and you need to be listening to the people," Gregg said. "Everyone we talk to wants this. Our goal is to create noise."

Currently, about eight people are organizing campaigns for 5 Decide, with more people in support of the group.

The "noise" will begin with supporters walking in the Shrimp Festival parade Saturday. The group, and anyone who wants to join, will meet at School Street at 8:30 a.m., and those participating will be wearing shirts declaring their support, Gregg said. They'll be passing out fliers to parade attendees.

Next, the group plans to start hosting "5 Decide" Pizza Nights. The first will be Tuesday, March 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.at the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club, 175 Sterling Ave.

The group is also hoping to get at least 1,000 signatures from registered voters on Fort Myers Beach in support of TPI. They'll also be taking non-voter petitions in support, Gregg said.

The group has a Facebook page and a website, 5decide.com. For more information, email info@5decide.com.

"We hope TPI will bring in new businesses that don't rely on the January to March season," Ferguson said. "It will clean up the north end while still keeping the beach culture."